D-day looms for injured Benayoun

Yossi Benayoun has returned to Chelsea after his loan spell at West Ham ended prematurely due to injury.

Benayoun’s agent Ronen Katsav says that the midfielder will use the period of rest to consider his next move.

“The first priority is to get Yossi fit and we hope by the end of the month he’ll be healthy and we can weigh up his options for the January window,” Katsav said.

“A permanent deal at West Ham is certainly a possibility.”

Benayoun, 32, managed only six appearances after joining the Hammers on a loan deal in August.

He sustained a knee injury in early November and then broke down with a pulled ligament after returning to training at the beginning of this month.

Asked if he intends to sign Benayoun, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce said: “We will make that decision in January because it is stipulated in the loan agreement.”

Meanwhile, Canadian starlet Daniel Haber, 20, is having a trial with Maccabi Haifa.

The Israel FA has confirmed that Ramat Gan National Stadium will be demolished in May 2013 after hosting the Israel FA Cup final, even though funds have not yet been secured for the construction of a new stadium.

International matches involving Israel will be played at Haifa Stadium and in Jerusalem in the interim.